Portable fire extinguisher



April 29, 1958 A. JACOBS PORTABLE FIRE EXTINGUISHER 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

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s J M v A. JACOBS PORTABLE FIRE EXTINGUISHER April 29, 195s Filed June l. 1956 I NVENTOR.

United States Patent @dice 2, 2,i25 Patented Apr. 29, 1958 PORTABLE FIRE EXTIN Alan Jacobs, Los Angeies, Calif., assigner of onediali to Wilbur A. Nelson, Los Angeles., @alii Appiicntiou dune l, 1956, Serial No. fiSiSZ 7 Claims. (Cl. MSL-31) This invention relates to a self-contained portable iire fighting unit or apparatus capable of producing a finely divided mist or fog of any desired noninflammable liquid. The apparatus is adapted for use with any compressed nonintiammable gas and a noniniiammable liquid, the compressed gas being utilized as a source of pressure for the liquid and as a component of the mist or fog generated with the liquid. By reason of the numerous materials, both gaseous and liquid which may be employed in the lire lighting unit, the apparatus may be employed electrical systems, chemical or solvents, wood, paper, rubber etc.

The construction described in detail hereinafter con templates a portable unit including a wheeled frame, such frame carrying two containers or receptacles, one for liquid and a separate sealed reservoir for a compressed or liquefied gas such as carbon dioxide. These two containers are preferably mounted in spaced relation, one above the other, each of the containers being connected to a fog nozzle by separate flexible conduits. The wheeled frame is provided with suitable release means whereby the sealed reservoir of liquid carbon dioxide is unsealed, the gas being then supplied simultaneously both to the fog nozzle and to the liquid container, thereby placing the liquid in such container under pressure and discharging the liquid through a conduit to the fog nozzle. The fog nozzle therefore receives and simultaneously discharges carbon dioxide and a liquid such as water,

the mixture being discharged in the form Vof a iinely divided fog or mist having great effectiveness in smothering and extinguishing tires. Novel `means are provided whereby a substantially constant pressure is imparted by the liquefied gas to the water without the necessity of using pressure reducing valves or the like.

.It is an object of 4the present invention therefore to disclose and provide a lire-lighting self-contained portable unit adapted to produce a tire fighting fog from any desired nonintlammable liquid and noninliammable compressed or liqueed gas.

Another object of the invention is to disclose and provide a self-contained portable unit which is free from pumps, pressure reducing valves and other complicated or expensive elements.

A still further object ot the invention is to disclose and provide a compact self-contained portable lire fighting unit including a pressure resisting container for liquid, a separate sealed reservior of liquid carbon dioxide and means for releasing gas from said reservoir to supply gas and liquid to a fog nozzle, said means being actuatable upon removalof the fog nozzle ltrom a locking position on such unit.

A still further object of the invention is to disclose and provide simple and `:flexible means for regulating'the pressure applied to the liquid from a reservoir of liquid carbon dioxide.

These and other objects ot the invention will become apparent from the following description of an exemplary form of ire ghting unit illustrated in the appended drawe ings in which:

Fig. l is a side elevation, portions being broken away.

Fig. 2 is a rear View of the unit illustrated in Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is a horizontal section taken along the plane IIL-III in Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged View of a portion of both container and reservoir showing interconnections With the fog nozzle.

Although it is known that carbon dioxide is an eilicient material in lighting tires, it is not completely effective in extinguishing all classes of tires. Water or Vaporizable liquid of similar boiling point is extremely effective in lighting many rires. The device of the present invention effectively utilizes the characteristics and properties of both a iire fighting liquid and a gas, combining these materials in the form of a fine mist or fog capable of being used to best advantage.

The exemplary form of device illustrated in the drawings comprises: a wheeled frame including a base portion lt) and an upright or upstanding portion which may be made of tubular stock il and li joined at the top c to form a handle 12; a suitable wheel 13 may be jourm fighting various classes of tires such as those involving naled on a bracket adjacent the base portion lil so as to `permit the entire frame to assume a stable Vertical t position as illustrated in Figs. l and 2, the entire unit being capable of being readily moved upon its wheels by simply tilting the frame so as to rest the entire weight upon the wheels.

The base lil may carry a pressure resisting container l5 for a suitable liquid such as water, such container being normally held in place by its weight and an encircling strap lo attached to the upright portion of the trame. The upper portion of the frame preferably carries a separate sealed reservoir 13 of compressed gas such as for example, liquid carbon dioxide. This reser voir may be encircled and prevented from laterally shifting by means of an open ended sleeve i9 connected to the frame as by means of bracket 2@ (Fig. 3), said bracket being a part of a web 21 joining the upstanding tubular members il. and ll of the frame.

Means are provided for releasably supporting the reservoir ld in position above the container 15. Such means may comprise: a supporting lever Z3 attached to the lower end of rod 24, the upper end of' such rod being provided with an operating or release lever 25. The rod 24 is journaled in suitable upper and lower lianges of the web 2l. rThe end of release lever 23 is provided with an opening in its side so as to partially encircle a perforating plunger 23 carried by a combined sealed puncturing and gas distributing means or fitting 3l) removably connected to the sealed reservoir i8 (see Fig. 4).

The web 21 is also provided with a holster 3l adapted to removably hold a fog nozzle 32. When the fog nozzle 32 is in its holster 3l, as illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, the release lever .2S is virtually immobilized so as to preclude accidental or other movement of such release lever rod 24 and supporting lever 23. 'it is therefore necessary to remove the fog nozzle from its holster and have it in position for immediate use before the release lever 25 can be moved to actuate the unit.

The combined seal puncturing and gas distributing means 3d is removably connected to a fitting 3d carried `by the reservoir lli, a pressure resisting but puncturable seal 35i being provided between the fitting 3d and means Sil. The seal perforating plunger 28 is slidably mounted in the means 31@ and suitably gaslieted. The gas distributing means includes a chamber 3d provided with tivo ports, one being connected to a ilexible conduit 37 leading to the `log nozzle 2 the other being connected assenze by means of a length of fine-bore resilient metallic tubing 3S in communication with the upper portion of liqui container This :tine-bore or capillary tubing is preferably in the form ot a coil such as is indicated at 38. The lower end or" such coil may either be connected directly to the liquid container l5 or to a suitable cap 39 removably connecte to the upper part of container 1S Vby means of a -threaded flange clement 4d. The cap 39 may be provided with a downwardly extending pipe ii terminatingnear the bottom of container l5, such pipe being in communication with a port formed in the cap 39, such port being connected to ilexible conduit 47 leading and connected to the fog nozzle 32.

The fog nozzle may be embodied in a handpiece resembling a signal gun and including a pistol grip well as a barrel having an outer opening end at bore 49. The rear end of this barrei is provided with a coaxial iet Si? threadedly mounted within thel body ot' the gun as indicated at 5E, the rear end ot' such jet Sill' being closed by a plug 52. A side port or ports communicate the jetY 5@ with a passage way 54 connected to flexible tube 37.

The end of iet d@ terminates within bore d@ and is spaced from the discharge end of such bore. An annular passage encircling such jet is in communication with flexible conduit d'7 by means of passage way 56. lt has been found that this arrangement permits carbon dioxide gas, supplied through conduit 37 to the jet 5t), to effectively disperse water or other liquid supplied to the nozzle by liexible conduit 47 and discharge a iine fog or mist of such liquid within an envelope of carbon dioxide. The actual throw of such fog or mist may be varied somewhat by adjusting the length of the bore 49 and as indicated by dash lines, a tubular extension 57 may be slidably carried upon the barrel of the fog nozzle so as to increase the throw when desired.Y

As previously stated, the reservoir 1S is supported upon arm 23. When it is desired to place the entire unit in operation, the fog nozzle is removed from its holdster 31 and lever 25 is moved to thereby cause supporting lever 23 to be moved out of contact with the head ot means The entire reservoir 1S will then drop by gravity on to the litting or cap 39 of container 15. The tubular stem of plunger 23 pierces seal 35 and immediately releases carbon dioxide through its side orices into the chamber 36. The carbon dioxide is then distributed from said chamber to the tog nozzle by llexible conduit 57 and to the top ot the container l5' through the tine bore resilient tubing lt has been determined that the pressure to which the body ot water in container l5 is subjected may be readily controlled by varying 'the length of the resilient tubing 38. For example, in the event Vreservoir contains .liqueiied carbon dioxide and container l5 is filled with water, 30 pounds per square inch gauge can be maintained on the water by the use of approximately 3 feet of tubing 3S, the tubing being an internal diameter of ot an inch. A l pound tank of liquid CO2 will discharge approximately 5 gallons ot lwater from container i and be combined with such water in the form of a mist or fog through the nozzle illustrated, the pressure on he water during the entire cycle being mail ned within 5 pounds ot the desired 30 pounds starting cssure. it is to be understood that the gures here given are illustrative: higher pressures can be maintained on the water by using a shorter length of tubing, while lower pressures can be maintained on the water by the use of longer piece of tubing. he resiliency of such metallic tubing permits relative movement between the reservo-ir d and the container .i5 and the length of the tubing precludes icing or blocking because of the large radiating surface. No pressure reducing valves are required.

lt is to be understood that although the illustrated embodiment employs gravity in releasing the gas and making it available both as a hre-fighting ingredient and a pressure producing agent, other means may be used for unsealing the gas reservoir as, for example, by moving plunger 2S or its equivalent while reservoir i8 is held stationary, handle .'5 and rod 24 operating a suitable cam arm or linkage to ciiect forcible movement of plunger 28. it is to be understood that any means of rapidly opening the gas reservoir may be used instead of a metal seal and puncturing needle or tube. For example, the gas reservoir maybe sealed with a puppet or other valve capable of being opened, as by plunger 23, movement o the valve releasing the compressed, noninliammable gas into distributor chamber 3d, part of such gas applying pressure to liquid in container 15 and the rest going directly to nozzle 32. Instead of CO2, other normally gaseous, nonintlammable materials such as nitrogen, chlorinated organics, methyl bromide etc, may be used.

it may be noted that whenever the reservoir of compressed gas is used in the inverted position shown, there is the possibility that foreign matter, such as grease used around the fitting or foreign material within reservoir 18 may become lodged in the orilices of the hoilow stem of plunger 28 and prevent proper supply of gas to chamber 36, or such objects may clog tine-bore tubing 38 and prevent proper pressure to be transmitted to liquid container l5. Such ditculties are over-come by providing tting 3d with a tubular open-ended extension 34 which extends into tanl` il? a short distance, say 3,41" to l"/2, beyond the inner wall surface of the tank, thereby permitting solids to gather around such discharge tube instead of passing into the fitting.

All changes coming within the scope of the claims are embraced thereby.

l claim:

l. A lire-tighting, self-contained, portable unit comprising: a pressure resisting container for liquid and a separate sealed reservoir of liquid carbon dioxide, said reservoir being spaced from said container; a combined seal-puncturing and gas-distributing `sans removably connected to said sealed reservoir; a gas outlet from said gas-distributing means; a liquid outlet in communication with the lower portion of the liquid container; and a length of tine bore resilient tubing in `coil form, connecting said gas-distributing means with the upper portion of the liquid container, the length and bore of said tubing 'being adapted to transmit a desired reduced pressure to said liquid container when said reservoir is unsealed by the seal-puncturing means.

ing: a pressure resisting container for liquid and a separate sealed reservoir of liquid carbon dioxide, said reservoir being spaced from said container; a combined sealpuncturing and gas-distributing means removably connected to said sealed reservoir; a gas outlet from said gasdistributing means; a liquid outlet in communication with the lower portion of the liquid container; and a length ot fine bore resilient, metallic tubing in coil form, connecting said gas-distributing .means with the upper portion of the liquid container, the length and bore of said tubing being adapted to transmit a desired reduced pressure to said liquid container when said reservoir is unsealed by the seal-puncturing means; a manually movable directional fog nozzle including a substantially tubular discharge having an open end and an axially disposed gas discharge jet, flexible conduit means connecting the gas outlet from the gas distributing means with said discharge jet and the liquid outlet with an annular space surrounding said discharge jet; whereby carbon dioxide gas and liquid may be concurrently supplied from said reservoir and container thru said respective flexible conduit to said fog nozzle.

4. As stated in claim 3, said reservoir being releasably positioned above said container, and means for releasing aseo/ias said reservoir for gravitational movement toward said container, said seal-puncturing means being actuated by contact with said container.

5. A fire-lighting unit as stated in claim 3, the tubular discharge of said fog nozzle being provided with a tubular extension member slidably mounted thereon, whereby the throw vof the nozzle may .be varied.

6. ln a portable fire-lighting unit the combination of: a pressure resisting container for non-inflammable liquid and a separate reservoir for compressed nonduammable gas; means for releasing and distributing gas from said reservoir including a primary gas outlet and a secondary gas outlet; a length of line 'bore resilient tubing connected to said secondary gas outlet and to the upper portion of the liquid container, the length and bore of said tubing being adapted to transmit a desired pressure to said liquid container when gas is released from said reservoir; and a liquid outlet in connection with the liquid in `said container, said liquid outlet and primary gas outlet being each adapted to be connected to flexible conduits both asso- 20 ciated with a common discharge outlet for simultaneous discharge of liquid and gas therethrough.

7. A portable, self-contained lire-fighting unit comprising: a frame including a bore portion and an upstanding portion, said frame being provided with a pair of wheels;

a pressure resisting container for a noninflammable liquid and a separate reservoir for compressed noninammable gas carried by said frame; means for releasing and distributing gas from said reservoir, including a gas outlet adapted to be lconnected to a ilexible conduit `and a secondary outlet; a length of tine-bore resilient tubing con? nected to said secondary outlet and to the upper portion of the liquid container; a liquid outlet in yconnection with the lower portion yof the liquid container; means including a release lever pivotally mounted on said frame for releasing gas from said reservoir; a holster carried `by the frame adjacent `said release lever for holding a fog nozzle; a fog nozzle removably held by said holster to limit movement of the release leveruntil such fog nozzle is removed; separate liexible conduits connecting said gas outlet and said liquid outlet with said fog nozzle.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 607,441 Kohl July 19, 1898 1,545,748 Filkins July 14, 1925 2,069,352 Brookshire yet a1. Feb. 21, 1937 2,432,146 Farris et a1. Dec. 9, 1947 2,577,024 Lundberg Dec. 4, 1951 2,755,865 Jacobs July 24, 1956 

